Less than three days after signing Mitchell Miller to an entry-level deal, the Boston Bruins announced on Sunday that they were cutting ties with the controversial prospect.
The decision to sign the 20-year-old defender has drawn criticism from the moment the Bruins announced it on Friday. Miller was previously a fourth-round draft pick for the Arizona Coyotes in 2020. Shortly after his draft, an Arizona Republic report detailed how Miller and another middle school classmate were convicted in juvenile court in 2016 of racist abuse and bullying Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, who is Black. In the report, Meyer-Crothers’ mother said Miller began abusing her son in the second grade, while also repeatedly using racial epithets.
Bruins president Cam Neely said in a statement Sunday night that the decision to sign Miller was made “after careful consideration of the facts known to us.” Neely said the team believes Miller’s abuse of Meyer-Crothers was “an isolated incident” and that Miller “took significant action for reform and was committed to continued personal development.”
Neely said that “based on new information,” the franchise made the decision to terminate the contract that Miller was given.
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Neely also said the Bruins would reevaluate their internal review process.
“I sincerely apologize to Isaiah and his family if this signing made you and other victims feel unseen and unheard,” Neely said. “We apologize for the deep pain and impact we have caused.”
Miller had given up his drafting rights less than a month after being selected by the Coyotes. He was also released from his scholarship to the University of North Dakota, where he was enrolled as a freshman.
He sat out the 2020-21 season but began playing again with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm in 2021-22. He finished the league level on points with 39 goals and had 83 points – both season records for a defender – in 60 games. He was named Defenseman of the Year and Player of the Year by the USHL.
The Bruins originally planned to have Miller play for their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. On Saturday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league was not consulted by the Bruins about the signing and Miller is “ineligible to come into the NHL at this time.” Bettman said the league ultimately has to clear Miller to play, while also saying he needs to “see a whole bunch of things” to move forward.
Bruins forward Nick Foligno said Saturday it was “a difficult thing” for the team to learn the organization had signed Miller.
“I’m not going to lie to you,” Foligno said. “I don’t think anyone was too happy because we’re proud to say that this is a group that cares deeply about ourselves and how we support ourselves and how we treat people.”
Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron said the culture the team has built is at odds with the behavior Miller has shown. He said what Miller did was “unacceptable and we don’t stand by that.”